Chevrolet Suburban 3500 Questions

[Bigburb3500]

Installed a Tekonsha P3 trailer brake controller this morning, and went to pick up the camper this afternoon. The 4.10 gears are perfect for holding 5th on the highway up and down modest rolling hills - exactly what I was hoping for. Essentially zero squat (1/4” or so) from the 750 lb tongue weight.

Throttle response is more restrained, requiring much more pressure on the pedal than the GMT900 Yukon XL Denalis for the same result, but when I do give it the boot, the 6.0 holds its own with the 6.2’s quite well.

Great to hear it tows well with the 7k lbs. I was stalking on another forum and I think the holding gears is also a transmission tune that GM does on HD trucks vs the 1500 chassis. The 1/2ton will always try to shoot to the highest gear (even in tow haul) vs the HD tune which will more willingly hold the gear.

1/4in with 750lbs… thats nothing!

 

[strutaeng]

Great to hear it tows well with the 7k lbs. I was stalking on another forum and I think the holding gears is also a transmission tune that GM does on HD trucks vs the 1500 chassis. The 1/2ton will always try to shoot to the highest gear (even in tow haul) vs the HD tune which will more willingly hold the gear.

1/4in with 750lbs… thats nothing!

Leaf springs FTW! Do these trucks have the 5 pack leaf springs?

Congratulations @Geotrash on the new rig! That's an awesome truck!

 

[Geotrash]

Leaf springs FTW! Do these trucks have the 5 pack leaf springs?

Congratulations @Geotrash on the new rig! That's an awesome truck!

Thank you, sir!

Yes, they do use the 5-pack with the bottom spring being extra think and only coming into play when there is considerable flex in the other 4.

 

[Geotrash]

Just confirmed that the batteries (it has dual batteries) are originals and now 6 years old. So I'm going to replace them soon. As near as I can tell, both batteries are size 94. Given that I had bad experiences with AGM batteries on my other rigs, I'm leaning toward flooded lead acid batteries from Walmart. Anyone have an opinion on this generation's battery needs?

 

[Bigburb3500]

Just confirmed that the batteries (it has dual batteries) are originals and now 6 years old. So I'm going to replace them soon. As near as I can tell, both batteries are size 94. Given that I had bad experiences with AGM batteries on my other rigs, I'm leaning toward flooded lead acid batteries from Walmart. Anyone have an opinion on this generation's battery needs?

No opinion. From what I can tell unless running a lot of accessories this is overkill for a gasser. I believe our trucks came with the up-sized alternator as well. Plenty of power considering this is not a diesel or we are running huge plows/winches/lights at the same time.

 

[Tahoe14]

I think someone has posted that there are only two or three battery manufacturers and then they are labeled for each particular company so I would think Walmart would be fine.

 

[gtrslngrchris]

Just confirmed that the batteries (it has dual batteries) are originals and now 6 years old. So I'm going to replace them soon. As near as I can tell, both batteries are size 94. Given that I had bad experiences with AGM batteries on my other rigs, I'm leaning toward flooded lead acid batteries from Walmart. Anyone have an opinion on this generation's battery needs?

No opinion. From what I can tell unless running a lot of accessories this is overkill for a gasser. I believe our trucks came with the up-sized alternator as well. Plenty of power considering this is not a diesel or we are running huge plows/winches/lights at the same time.

Even some of the Duramax guys will downsize to a single battery although I would be afraid to knowing how difficult it can be to turn over sometimes, ESPECIALLY in the cold, but I wouldn't even blink to remove one for a gasser. That would save you at least a couple hundred bucks.

 

[Bigburb3500]

Even some of the Duramax guys will downsize to a single battery although I would be afraid to knowing how difficult it can be to turn over sometimes, ESPECIALLY in the cold, but I wouldn't even blink to remove one for a gasser. That would save you at least a couple hundred bucks.

Agreed. I think it’s interesting because I think there are several threads on here on how to add a second battery to gassers. It’s a nice benefit but expensive to replace!

 

[Geotrash]

Even some of the Duramax guys will downsize to a single battery although I would be afraid to knowing how difficult it can be to turn over sometimes, ESPECIALLY in the cold, but I wouldn't even blink to remove one for a gasser. That would save you at least a couple hundred bucks.

Well, we use it for boondocking (camping in our RV with no hookups), so the extra battery capacity could come in handy. I'm inclined to keep the secondary battery. The main decision I have to make is between AGM and conventional flooded lead acid batteries.

 

[Fless]

I've been buying Walmart batteries for the past 15 or 20 years. One thing I've noticed is that for any given size there may be two levels of warranty (and I assume quality). I always buy the one with the most warranty if it's available and have never regretted it.

Comparing warranty, CCA specs, and price, I don't think you can go wrong. And Walmarts are virtually everywhere in the U.S. so not hard to get warranty adjustment if needed.